Matt Bush — From Javelin Thrower to Paralympic Taekwondo Champion

Matt Bush, a Paralympic champion from Pembrokeshire, Wales, has become one of Great Britain’s most inspiring sporting success stories. Competing for GB Taekwondo, Matt claimed gold at the Paris 2024 Paralympics, cementing his place as a trailblazer in Welsh sport. His journey to the podium, however, was anything but straightforward.

Written by Leif Thobroe  •  September 2025

Early Sporting Career

Matt’s career in disability sport began in 2015, when he was invited by Anthony Hughes to attend a “come and try different sports” day in Carmarthen organised by Disability Sport Wales. That introduction marked the start of his sporting journey.

Anthony played a pivotal role in opening the door for Matt: first in athletics, where he quickly excelled as an F46 javelin thrower. Within a year, Matt rose to become Britain’s leading male thrower in his classification, and by 2016 he was in contention for his Paralympic debut at the Rio Games.

Unfortunately, a devastating shoulder injury forced him to withdraw, ending that first Paralympic dream.

Transition to Taekwondo

In 2017, Matt’s sporting path took a dramatic new turn. With continued support from Disability Sport Wales, Anthony Hughes encouraged him to travel to Manchester and try out for the GB Para Taekwondo squad.

Although Matt already had a background in jujitsu and mixed martial arts, he had never competed in taekwondo before. The transition required learning a completely new rule set, style, and competition environment. What stood out immediately was his natural athleticism, competitive mindset, and ability to adapt quickly.

Reflecting on this turning point, Matt stated:

“My journey in taekwondo and my success within the sport would not have been possible without Anthony Hughes.”

Anthony Hughes’s influence on Welsh and British Paralympic sport — and on Matt’s remarkable journey — remains profound. His belief in Matt was the spark that set his taekwondo career in motion.

Within just a few months of training, Matt found himself competing internationally. His first ever taekwondo competition took place in South Korea, an extraordinary leap from novice to international athlete in such a short time.

Sights on Tokyo 2020

By 2019, Matt had established himself as one of the world’s top fighters in the K44 heavyweight division. His rapid progress earned him qualification for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, raising hopes of finally achieving the dream that had slipped away in Rio.
But cruel misfortune struck again. Just before travelling to Tokyo, Matt was informed by the chief medic that he would not be allowed to compete because of a serious ACL injury. Despite officially qualifying, he was forced to withdraw before boarding the plane. It was another devastating blow, and a second Paralympic Games slipped through his grasp.

Road to Paris 2024

Recovering from ACL surgery was a long and gruelling process. By the time Matt was fit enough to return to competition, he had missed much of the Paralympic qualification window. That meant he had only around half a cycle to collect the necessary ranking points for Paris.

Against the odds, and with limited opportunities to compete, Matt delivered when it mattered most. Through consistent performances on the international stage, he managed to secure enough points in a reduced timescale to qualify for the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games — a remarkable achievement in itself.

Paris 2024 – The Dream Realised

In Paris 2024, Matt finally had the stage he had long been denied. He reigned supreme in the K44 +80kg Para Taekwondo Final, showcasing not only his skill but also his resilience, defeating some of the sport’s toughest opponents. His victory brought home Paralympic gold for Team GB and marked a historic achievement for Welsh sport.

Reflecting on the moment, Matt said:

“The greatest moment of my sporting career was winning gold in Paris with my family in the crowd — and sharing that memory with my daughter made it truly unforgettable.”

Impact and Legacy

Matt’s journey is a testament to the power of resilience, adaptability, and opportunity. From being a javelin thrower ruled out of two Paralympic Games to becoming a Paralympic champion in a completely different sport, his story reflects the vital role of Disability Sport Wales in talent identification and athlete development.

For Pembrokeshire, Wales, and the wider GB Paralympic community, Matt Bush’s success is a symbol of what can be achieved when perseverance meets opportunity. His legacy will inspire future generations of disabled athletes to pursue their dreams, no matter how many times the path takes unexpected turns.

Equally crucial to Matt’s success has been the role of National Lottery funding, which provides essential financial backing for athletes across Great Britain. This support allowed Matt to access world-class coaching, medical care, training environments, and the opportunity to compete internationally.

As Matt himself says:

“I am very grateful for the National Lottery funding that has supported me on my journey to the top.”

Disability Sport Wales receives funding from The National Lottery to enable its mission to influence, include, inspire, in sport. We are able to work toward our goals and contribute to inspiring projects happening around the country thanks to players of The National Lottery.

For further information about this case study contact:

Get Involved

Matt’s story began with a “come and try” day in Carmarthen — and your journey could begin the same way. Disability Sport Wales provides opportunities for disabled people of all ages and abilities to get active, discover new inclusive sports, and explore their potential.

• Find Your Fire: Discover your pathways to the Paralympic and Commonwealth Games.
• Inspire Form: inspire is a way that you, or someone who knows you, can let us know that you have the potential to achieve more in para and/or disability sport.
• insport Club Finder: Locate inclusive clubs near you and start your journey today.